From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esan North East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State have voided the suspension of the newly appointed Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture and Food Security Programme, Prince Joe Okojie.
Okojie and five others were purportedly suspended by some members of the party executives for reportedly setting up a five-man committee to probe the allegation of financial impropriety levelled against the party chairman in the local council, Mr. Vasco Agwi.
Agwi had said the setting up of the five-man committee was not in line with the APC constitution.
After an emergency leadership meeting of the APC Esan East local council chapter held in Uromi on Thursday, the party voided the unilateral suspension of Okojie, declaring that it “is repudiated, null and void.”
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the party said the entire leadership of the party in the local council did not consent to the suspension.
It described Okojie’s suspension as inimical to the growth and development of the party in the local council.
The communiqué reaffirmed Okojie as the authentic leader of the APC in Esan North East local council and appealed to party supporters to remain calm as the leadership was looking into all issues within the party.
Those who attended the meeting included Hon. Joe Usifoh, Hon. Mike Anenih, Isemonde Friday, Ted Inegbedion, John Adane, Hon. Anselm Adima, Chief Monday Igberaese, Goddy Ogun and Hon. Andy Egbadon, amongst others.